Customs

World Bank, National Trade Facilitation Committee scrutinise import/ export processes at Apapa Customs

–frown at short time for container examination

— Olomu says trade facilitation in Apapa is a tradition

Funso Olojo

The National Trade Facilitation Committee in collaboration with the World Bank has engaged the management of the Apapa command of the Nigeria Customs Service to understudy the processes of import and export trade in the command.

The team, which comprises representatives from the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, the World Bank, NAFDAC, SON, and Nigerian Shippers’Council, said its mission at the Apapa Customs was to study the operations and procedures of clearance of goods, identify inherent bottlenecks and proffer solutions.

According to Dr. Brenda Max-Nduagube, the representative of the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Doris Nkiruka Uzoka-Anite, the Federal government attaches great importance to trade facilitation, hence the reason the government collaborates with the World Bank to study trade processes at the nation’s ports and border posts, identify areas of shortcomings and offer solutions.

Mr. Alejandra Stojanov, an economist with the World Bank said they are interested to know the day to day operational procedures of the command, its import and export processes, the tariff determination, cargo classification and digital and automation programme at the command.

Stojanov also said the team wanted to know the impact of forex on the command operations.

Addressing the team, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, the Area Controller of Apapa customs said trade facilitation is a tradition at the command.

“Apart from revenue generation and anti-smuggling activities of the command, trade facilitation is another area of our operations which the CGC Wale Adeniyi is very much passionate about”

” We know without the facilitation of legitimate trade, there can’t be revenue generation,” Comptroller Olomu told his guests.

Delving into the administrative method that drives his vision, Olomu said since he assumed duties in May 2024, he has leveraged stakeholders’ engagement, and collaboration with other sister agencies and drive the action of the command through intelligence.

“These three pillars of our administration have really helped us so far” he declared.

While explaining to the team the extent to which the present Customs management led by CGC Adewale Adeniyi has worked to improve trade facilitation at the ports, Olomu stated that the CGC has introduced Authorised Economic Operator( AEO) and Advance Ruling system.

He said these are two new concepts introduced by the present Customs management to further deepen trade facilitation strategy at the ports.

” The CGC has significantly addressed the issue of trade facilitation.

” From fast track, we have upgraded to AEO.

“We have kick-started the process”

Olomu however said the compilation of the beneficiaries is ongoing because the programme is for compliant traders.

He also declared that as mandated by the World Trade Organization (WTO), the Service has set up Advance Ruling concept in order to facilitate trade.

“Apapa command has already keyed into these concepts to facilitate trade in the command” he declared.

Olomu also revealed the efforts of the Customs Service to promote export trade when the CGC engaged the Nigerian Ports Authority towards harmonizing the process.

” To underscore his desire to promote export trade and make it seamless, the CGC has ordered that the five export terminals at Apapa be collapsed into one-stop shop for export called Lagos Export Processing Command.

Deputy Comptroller Wale Adenuga, the DC Revenue at the command further described the initiatives of the command to promote trade facilitation.

” We get manifest electronically from the shipping company 24 hours before the arrival of the vessels and if you are a compliant trader, you take delivery of your goods in 24 to 48 hours” he declared.

DC Adenuga further explained that the operations at the command are fully automated and still a work in progress.

” All the 50 bonded terminals under the control of the command are interlinked to our server while all the relevant agencies can access our operations through the Single window system.

” We are on Nigeria Customs Information System( NCIS 11) and still working to upgrade it.

“So we have a robust automation system which promotes seamless operations with a top-notch server at our Customs Processing Centre (CPC) which can only be disrupted by bad weather,” Adenuga said.

He revealed that the command also uses three layers of goods evacuation which are through land, water( barges) and rails.

” But due to traffic gridlock, we encourage the use of barges and about 50 percent of traders in Apapa have embraced the use of barges while about 25 percent go by road and the rest by rail”

Adenuga also informed that the command has an efficient scanning operation as the scanner has the capacity to scan 200 containers a day.

He however lamented that the scanning machine, which can scan a container within three minutes, is underutilized due to lack of capacity and logistics problems of the AP Moller to position containers for scanning.

” As a result of these, we do 120 containers a day and this further boosts our trade facilitation at the command,” the DC Revenue said.

Despite his claim that the existing scanner is underutilized, Adenuga said the command needs more scanners.

A Superintendent of Customs from the Headquarters however said the service is still expecting six more scanners from China and two to three of these will be deployed to Apapa port whenever they arrive.

However, the Trade Facilitation Committee frowned at the time allocated to the examination of containers which is done between 12 noon and 4 pm.

” How many containers could be examined within so short a time of four hours? a NAFDAC representative on the committee queried.

” No wonder there is a backlog of containers at the port” she noted.

But the customs said they were ready to start examinations by 8 am but it was the terminal owners which decided to start positioning containers by 12 noon.

The team visited other units at the command as well as the scanning site to get first-hand experience of the operations at Apapa customs.

Customs

Apapa Customs records major breakthrough in anti- smuggling operations.

– intercepts 13 containers of harmful pharmaceuticals, other contraband goods worth N6.38billion

Funso OLOJO, Editor

The Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has recorded a huge success in its relentless war against traders of illicit products when its officers intercepted 13 containers of harmful pharmaceuticals and other contraband goods.

Unveiling the contraband goods at the APM Terminals,Apapa port on Tuesday, March 10th, 2026, the Comptroller- General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed that the intercepted consignments are worth over N6.38 billion.

Adeniyi, while speaking with Journalists, revealed that the interception and seizures were made possible through intelligence-driven operations supported by cargo scanning technology and targeted physical examination.

He explained that officers detected irregular cargo profiles during routine scanning procedures, prompting detailed physical inspections that uncovered several prohibited and falsely declared consignments.

According to him, among the seizures was a 40-foot container loaded with expired pharmaceutical products, including Mixagrip Cold Caplets, Ladinax tablets, Chloroquine injections and Diclofenac tablets.

Customs officers also intercepted two 40-foot containers filled with unregistered pharmaceutical products, including Hyegra 200 and Sildenafil Citrate.

In another discovery, a 20-foot container carrying 800 cartons of codeine was found carefully concealed inside toilet flushing cisterns and sanitary ware.

Other pharmaceutical seizures included cartons of Artesunate injections, while a separate container was discovered to contain restricted security equipment such as bulletproof vests, helmets, walkie-talkies and tactical torches imported without the required End User Certificates.

The Service also uncovered multiple containers loaded with expired food items, including muffin cookies, 36,000 cans of expired energy drinks, and large quantities of expired tomato paste brands.

In addition, officers seized a 40-foot container containing 1,700 cartons of codeine cough syrup concealed among luxury food flasks.

Another container was found carrying 1,575 cartons of CSMIX with codeine hidden with electric kettles, alongside additional cartons of Co-codamol tablets.

Customs further intercepted 13 jumbo bags of Cannabis Sativa weighing 347.57 kilograms, which were concealed inside a Toyota Sienna vehicle.

Adeniyi described the seizures as a major breakthrough in the Service’s ongoing crackdown on illicit trade and smuggling through Nigeria’s seaports.

He warned that the importation of expired drugs and controlled substances poses serious risks to public health, while the smuggling of codeine-based products contributes to the growing problem of substance abuse.

The Comptroller-General emphasized that under the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, the seized goods are liable to outright forfeiture, adding that investigations are ongoing and all persons connected to the shipments will face prosecution.

He also stressed that the Service is expanding the use of Non-Intrusive Inspection (cargo scanning) to improve cargo clearance efficiency while strengthening enforcement against high-risk consignments.

According to him, Apapa Port processes thousands of containers daily, making it one of the most strategic trade gateways in West Africa.

“Apapa Port is no longer a playground for smugglers or criminal syndicates hiding behind legitimate trade documentation,” Adeniyi stated.

He assured compliant traders that Customs enforcement is not aimed at legitimate business but at protecting Nigeria’s economy and citizens from dangerous and illegal imports.

Customs

Dera Nnadi bows out of Customs in a blaze of glory

Geraldine Samuel, Reporter

Dera Nnadi, a Deputy Comptroller- General of Customs(rtd), has dropped anchor of service in the Nigeria Customs and graceful bowed out of the agency in a blaze of glory.

In a commemorative retirement ceremony conducted by his appreciative colleagues at the Customs’ Headquarters, Abuja on March 3rd, 2026, Nnadi was pulled out of the Service he has diligently served amidst glowing tributes.

Incidentally, his pull- out ceremony coincided with his 60th birthday.

Leading the management staff, men and officers of the service in paying moving tributes to the retiring Nnadi was the Comptroller- General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, who described DCG(rtd) Nnadi as an exemplary officer whose professionalism, discipline, and commitment to duty significantly strengthened the values and operational effectiveness of the NCS.

According to the CGC, the retirement ceremony provided an opportunity not only to celebrate a successful career but also to appreciate the sacrifices and dedication of officers who devote their lives to safeguarding the nation’s economic and border security interests.

He noted that Nnadi’s career reflects the core ideals of the Nigeria Customs Service, particularly in leadership, revenue generation and trade facilitation.

“Today is a moment of celebration and reflection. It is also an opportunity for us to thank Almighty God for the grace that has sustained our colleague throughout his years of service,” the CGC said.

The CGC also highlighted the personal and professional bond he shares with the retiree, noting that their relationship extends beyond official duties to family ties.

He expressed confidence that DCG Nnadi still possesses the energy and experience to continue contributing meaningfully to national development through academic and other professional engagements.

Members of the Service’s management team also paid glowing tributes to the retired DCG, commending his leadership qualities, integrity and mentorship.

Officers who served under him described him as a dependable leader who provided guidance and encouragement to younger personnel while strengthening the Service’s institutional capacity.

Responding to the honour, DCG Dera Nnadi (Rtd) expressed appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs, the management team, officers and Men of the Service for their support and cooperation throughout his career.

He described his years in the NCS as a fulfilling journey of growth, learning and service to the nation.

The ceremony featured the presentation of awards, gift items and commemorative photographs in honour of the distinguished officer.

Customs

Customs takes charge of implementation of National Single Window project

– rallies stakeholders for successful take-off

Funso OLOJO, Editor

As the preparations for the official launch of National Single Window(NSW) project on March 27th, 2026 gather momentum, the Nigeria Customs service may have been designated as the lead agency to drive the modernisation project.

This much was confirmed by the Director of the Project, Tola Fakolade who acknowledged the pivotal leadership of the NCS in the implementation process.

At one of the stakeholders sensitisation programmes in Abuja on March 3rd, 2026, Fakolade declared “Our number one stakeholder is the NCS,”

“We have maintained a strong and constructive working relationship.

Customs’ participation and institutional experience are critical to the success of this project.” the project coordinator confirmed.

Confirming the lead role of the NCS, the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of ICT and Modernisation, DCG Oluyomi Adebakin, described the NSW as a major milestone in the Service’s ongoing modernisation drive.

She revealed that the NCS has been actively engaged in preparatory work for months to ensure that the framework being developed reflects operational realities and supports seamless implementation.

“This is a national project, but Customs is at the centre of its execution,” DCG Adebakin said.

“The success of the Single Window depends on collective understanding and cooperation. We must all appreciate its value because we cannot effectively promote what we do not fully understand.”

She reassured officers and stakeholders that the initiative is designed to strengthen institutional capacity rather than replace human resources, explaining that technology will enhance efficiency, transparency, and speed in cargo clearance and trade documentation processes.

Reaffirming the critical role of the service in the implementation of the NSW project, the Comptroller- General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, at the Abuja stakeholders engagement with airlines and shipping companies held on March 4th, 2026, emphasised the importance of collaboration in ensuring the successful rollout of the initiative.

He noted that the support of critical stakeholders has played a significant role in the achievements recorded in the Service’s modernisation journey so far.

Adeniyi disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has mandated the Service to take a bold step forward towards a successful launch of the National Single Window, a move aimed at positioning Nigeria as a major player in global trade.

He added that airline and shipping line operators remain vital partners in ensuring a seamless transition to the new system.

He further assured stakeholders that adequate support structures are being put in place to ease the migration process.

“A help desk with well-trained personnel will be available to address any operational challenges that may arise during the rollout”, the Comptroller-General stated.

The NCS described the National Single Window as a strategic reform that aligns with Customs’ mandate of trade facilitation, revenue generation, and inter-agency coordination.

With the NCS spearheading coordination and stakeholder engagement, the NSW project is expected to transform Nigeria’s trade environment, enhance revenue generation, and strengthen the country’s position in the global trading community.